TransNamib Holdings Limited, commonly referred to as TransNamib, is a state-owned railway company in Namibia. Organised as a holding company, it provides both rail and road freight services, as well as passenger rail services. Its headquarters are in the country’s capital Windhoek.[1]

TransNamib Holdings Limited
Two TransNamib U20C (South African Class 33-400) diesel-electric locomotives haul a train south of Keetmanshoop

History

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A first local railway was constructed in 1895 by the Damaraland Guano Company for commercial purposes. The first public railway, and the core of the present system, was constructed by the German colonial government. The 383 km connection between Swakopmund and Windhoek was inaugurated on June 19, 1902. The German colonial railway was taken over by the Railways of South Africa after World War I, and linked into the network of South Africa. After the independence of Namibia, TransNamib took control of the national rail network.

Operations

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TransNamib operated 2,883 km of rail in 1995. Since then, further track has been added to the network through the Northern Extension. It operates on 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge. While focus has been primarily on freight services, passenger services are an important component of TransNamib and provided under the Starline logo. The “Desert Express” was a tourist train that ceased operations in 2020. [1]

In early 2011, the Karasburg - Ariamsvlei mainline was damaged by flash floods, as was part of the Seeheim-Lüderitz line; services were suspended.[2]

Major lines and stations

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Map of the rail network of Namibia
TransNamib
 
Oshikango
 
Ondangwa
 
Omuthiya
 
Oshivelo
 
 
Tsumeb
 
 
Grootfontein
 
Otavi
Outjo
 
 
 
Otjiwarongo
 
Omaruru
 
 
Usakos
 
 
Karibib
Swakopmund
 
 
Okahandja
Walvis Bay
 
 
Windhoek
 
 
Rehoboth
 
 
Witvlei
Mariental
 
 
Gobabis
Keetmanshoop
 
 
 
Aus
 
 
Karasburg
Lüderitz
 
 
Nakop
 
 

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "About Us". transnamib.com.na. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  2. ^ "NAMIBIAN WASHAWAYS". Railways Africa. Retrieved 2011-02-19. Seeheim-Lüderitz
  3. ^ Update 2006 re Northern extension
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